The external form of Buddhism has three elements: the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. The Buddha is Sakyamuni, the historical Buddha for this Dharma age. The Dharma is the doctrine of the Buddha, his teachings and methods. The Sangha is the Buddhist community made up of monks and nuns. Actually, the Sangha is not only the monks and nuns that make up the community of left-home people. It also includes Buddhist lay practitioners. Although Buddhism emphasizes monks and nuns, with lay practitioners serving as an outer framework, the left-home community could not exist and perform its functions without the lay community. Without the structure created by these elements. Buddhism could not exist. For this reason, the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha are called the Three Jewels.

A lay Buddhist, therefore, is a member of the Sangha. Lay practice of precepts, samadhi and wisdom is part of the Dharma, and is included in the Noble Eightfold Path. The Noble Eightfold Path contains principles that all Buddhists, lay and monastic, aspire to follow and include: right understanding, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration.

If you adhere to the precepts, practice samadhi and acquire wisdom, and you conduct your life according to the teachings and concepts of the Buddha, then you can call yourself a Buddhist.

Even if you are not fully immersed in Buddhism, but you have the desire to follow the Buddhadharma, you may consider yourself a Buddhist. It is difficult to embrace every facet of Buddhism completely, instantly, and with enthusiasm. It is a gradual process. But if you intend to walk the Buddha Path, and your intentions and desires are pure, then you can call yourself a Buddhist.

On the other hand, if you do not understand even the basic teachings of Sakyamuni Buddha and you cannot practice the methods or follow the precepts, then, obviously, you are not a Buddhist.